A glimpse of Sutej Pannu's Instagram will warm your heart. Pannu, hailing from Punjab, is renowned for his ardent retro photographs depicting the daily lives of elderly Punjabis both abroad and in India. His Instagram reels and images offer a window into the simplicity of Punjabis, a perspective often overlooked by mainstream media. His photo series is rooted in his personal experiences of a childhood spent with his family, brimming with nostalgia, gratitude, and a retro ambiance. We talk to him over a video call on his visual aesthetics, his experience and his idea behind capturing the elder generation.
What made you to photograph random elderly individuals on the streets? How did they become the subjects of your photography?
My full-time job is wedding photography, but ever since I began my journey in photography, I've been drawn to portrait photography. It all began with taking pictures of my immediate family members, who willingly posed in front of my camera. It would be usually my nani or biji. I would experiment with different lenses and lighting techniques on them, and that's how my hobby evolved into portrait photography. Then, I saw that I could connect with the older generation well. Now, whenever I go to the streets, I approach them. So, it transitioned from capturing immediate family members to photographing older people I encountered on the streets.
Tell us about your visual aesthetics.
I think a significant part of my visual aesthetic again come from my mom. She used to run a boutique when I was growing up. it definitely has a lot to do with the nostalgia of growing up in a household in the 90s, where there was a boutique in the house and it had a retro vibe. Also, the kind of TV we used to watch like Shaktimaan, Parle G ads, and Doordarshan. It's a blend of nostalgia and an organic, retro vibe. Later, as I became more self-aware about the spiritual energy we hold, my aesthetics evolved further. I wanted to experiment with new elements, so my work now also includes a touch of wellness.
What do these photographs mean to the people you capture?
That's a great question. I feel like when you are older, you don't get documented as much as you were younger. Like, the minute you are born on this earth, people start taking your photos. We send it to each other on WhatsApp. We document the baby until their teenage and then they start taking their own photos. I don't think a lot of families are documenting their older generation. The whole goal of my series is to give them that experience again. When I approach them and ask to take their photo, they often feel honored. There's a wealth of wisdom within them, and they want to share it with someone. This simple act makes them feel belonged. It’s a means to make them feel alive and get a sense of acknowledgement of their existence. We can also get some wisdom out of them. The minute I ask them for a picture, they are surprised because they never expect that somebody would be interested in capturing them. There are a lot of folks who would say that I will go back home and get this framed.
Given that you photograph many elderly people living abroad, have you noticed any differences between them and the older generation in India?
I've photographed a lot of Indian Punjabis who have moved from India to Canada or the US. While they do miss their homes in India, they have also accepted their new life in the Western Hemisphere. They've established routines around it, like going to temples or gurudwaras and spending time with friends.
Both in India and in Western countries, they maintain a disciplined lifestyle, but there's a certain contentment when they are in their homeland. Even the recent video I posted, where there’s an elderly couple, the husband starts crying suddenly because he misses his siblings. I feel that the lifestyle shift can sometimes result in a lot of emotional baggage inside them. It's essential for the younger generation to approach them and ask about their feelings because, on the outside, they may seem okay, but inside, they might have unspoken desires and longings.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 10.10.2023
